(SS) Jones v. Commissioner of Social Security

Opinion

BARBARA MARIE RIZZO (CSBN 172999) Attorney at Law P. O. Box 383103 Waikoloa, HI 96738 Telephone: 808-785-6088 Fax: 808-440-0699 E-Mail: mail@fedlaborlaw.com Attorney for Plaintiff Whitney A. Jones

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ____________________________________ ) WHITNEY A. JONES, ) Case No.: 2:23-CV-00339-TLN-EFB ) Plaintiff, ) ) STIPULATION AND ORDER APPROVING v. ) SETTLEMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES AND ) EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, ) ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, ) 28 U.S.C. §2412(d) Defendant. ) ____________________________________)

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties, through their undersigned counsel, subject to the Court's approval, that Plaintiff be awarded EIGHTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($18,000.00) in attorney fees and ONE HUNDRED FIVE DOLLARS AND EIGHTEEN CENTS ($105.18) in expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"). These amounts represent compensation for legal services rendered on behalf of Plaintiff by counsel in connection with this civil action in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §2412(d). After the Court issues an order awarding EAJA fees and expenses to Plaintiff, the Government will consider the matter of Plaintiff's assignment of EAJA fees and expenses to Plaintiff's attorney. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S.Ct. 2521 (2010), the ability to honor the assignment will depend on whether the fees are subject to any offset allowed under the United States Department of the Treasury's Offset Program. After the order awarding EAJA fees and expenses is entered, the Government will determine whether the fees are subject to any offset. If the Department of the Treasury determines that Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, the Government shall cause the payment of fees and expenses to be made directly to Barbara Marie Rizzo, pursuant to the assignment executed by Plaintiff. Any payments made shall be delivered to Plaintiff's counsel. This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff's request for EAJA attorney fees and expenses and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant under the EAJA. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a complete release from, and bar to, any and all claims that Plaintiff and/or Plaintiff's counsel may have relating to EAJA attorney fees and expenses in connection with this action. This award is without prejudice to the rights of Plaintiff's counsel to seek attorney fees pursuant to the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §406(b), subject to the offset provisions of the EAJA. Respectfully submitted,

Dated: May 14, 2024 “/s/Barbara Marie Rizzo” BARBARA MARIE RIZZO Attorney for Plaintiff

Dated: May 14, 2024 "/s/Timothy A. Razel (As authorized via e-mail) Special Assistant United States Attorney Attorney for Defendant Commissioner of Social Security

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ) WHITNEY A. JONES, ) Case No.: 2:23-CV-00339-TLN-EFB ) Plaintiff, ) ORDER ) Vv. ) ) ) ) Defendant. ) ee) PURSUANT TO STIPULATION, IT IS ORDERED that: 1. The parties’ stipulation for attorney fees (ECF No. 24) is GRANTED; and 2. Plaintiff shall be awarded attorney fees in the amount of EIGHTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($18,000.00) and expenses and in the amount of ONE HUNDRED FIVE DOLLARS AND EIGHTEEN CENTS ($105.18), as authorized by □□□ U.S.C. §2412(d), subject to the terms of the above referenced Stipulation. KL. eg Dated: May 29, 2024 Zot! lle Lt = Dye 4h » EDMUND F. BRENNAN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE